homeostatic principle
in social psychology, the principle that individuals have a need to maintain or restore an optimal level of environmental, interpersonal, and psychological stimulation. Insufficient or excessive stimulation is theorized to cause tension that often prompts the behavior required to achieve optimal stimulation levels. For example, if an individual experiences excessive solitude, he or she will seek out others to restore the desired balance with his or her need for companionship. The principle is analogous to the biological concept of homeostasis.